Genetics: Molecular, Population, Developmental & Epigenetics

• Examines the molecular structure and function of genes.
• Studies DNA replication, transcription, translation, and mutations.
• Genetic engineering, gene therapy, CRISPR, and biotechnology are applications.

Population Genetics

• Investigates genetic variation within and between populations over time.
• Studies evolutionary processes like natural selection, genetic drift, mutation, and gene flow.
• Conservation biology and understanding genetic diversity are applications.

Developmental Genetics

• Explores how genes control growth and development in organisms.
• Studies the interaction of genes and environmental factors during development.
• Understanding birth defects and developmental disorders are applications.

Epigenetics

• Studies heritable changes in gene expression that do not involve changes in the DNA sequence.
• Focuses on modifications like DNA methylation and histone acetylation.
• Research on cancer, aging, and environmental effects on genes are applications.

Plant Genetics

• Focuses on genetic material in plants to improve food crops.
• Aims include enhancing pest resistance and enabling growth in challenging environments.
• Advancements in plant genetics and genomics, when used in breeding, helps increase production and cultivation of crops resistant to pests, pathogens, and drought.

Classical Genetics

• Focuses on the transmission of traits from one generation to another (Mendelian inheritance).
• Studies the behavior of chromosomes and genes during reproduction.
• Key concepts are dominant and recessive traits, segregation, and independent assortment.

Behavioral Genetics

• Explores the genetic basis of behavior in humans and animals.
• Studies how genes and the environment influence traits like intelligence and temperament.
• Research in psychology and neuroscience are applications.

Human genetics

• Focuses on how children inherit characteristics from parents.
• Inheritance in humans is similar to that in other organisms.

Quantitative Genetics

• Focuses on traits influenced by multiple genes (polygenic inheritance).
• Analyzes phenotypes that vary continuously, such as height and weight.
• Plant and animal breeding, and studying human complex traits are applications.

Genetics Engineering

• Involves laboratory-based technologies to alter the DNA makeup of an organism.
• This may include changing a single base pair (A-T or C-G), deleting a region of DNA, or adding a new segment of DNA.

Cytogenetics

• Studies the structure and function of chromosomes.
• Analyzes chromosomal abnormalities and their effects on organisms.
• Karyotyping and diagnosing genetic disorders like Down syndrome are applications.

Environmental Genetics

• Explores the interaction between genes and environmental factors.
• Research on stress responses, adaptation, and pollution effects are applications.

Medical Genetics

• Focuses on the genetic basis of diseases and disorders in humans.
• Encompasses the study of inherited conditions, genetic screening, and gene therapy.
• Diagnosis and treatment of genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia are applications.

Biochemical Genetics

• Studies the relationship between genes and the production of enzymes, proteins, and metabolites.
• Focuses on inborn errors of metabolism and their genetic basis.
• Understanding diseases like phenylketonuria (PKU) is an application.

Animal genetics

• Reports on molecular genetics, functional genomics and microbiomics of livestock, aquaculture, wildlife and laboratory animals.

Genomics

• Studies the entire genome of an organism, including its structure, function, and evolution.
• Focuses on large-scale data analysis and sequencing technologies.
• Human Genome Project, comparative genomics, and personalized medicine are applications.

Mitochondrial Genetics

• Centers on genetic material in mitochondria, the energy-producing organelles of eukaryotic cells.
• Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has unique characteristics and inheritance patterns, setting it apart from nuclear DNA.

Immunogenetics

• Studies the genetic basis of the immune system and its response to pathogens.
• Understanding autoimmune diseases and vaccine development are applications.

Pharmacogenetics

• Examines how genetic variation influences an individual's response to drugs.
• Aims to develop personalized medicine based on genetic profiles.
• Optimizing drug efficacy and minimizing adverse effects are applications.

Evolutionary Genetics

• Examines how genetic changes contribute to evolution and speciation.
• Studies the genetic basis of adaptation and survival.
• Understanding evolutionary history and phylogenetics are applications.

Explores molecular structure/function of genes, DNA replication/mutation. Investigates genetic variation, evolutionary processes, and developmental control. Studies heritable changes in gene expression and applications in medicine, conservation, and biotechnology.